Excavator

Excavator

Machine Information
Created by	RDA
Used by	Humans
Usage	Designed to strip away dirt and rock beneath topsoil to gain access to unobtanium
Size	Overall width: 235.1 meters Track width: 90.74 meters Overall height: 304.38 meters Overall length: 506.03 meters Digger radius: 43.42 meters
Behind the scenes
First appearance	Avatar

The Excavator, also called by its official name, DD40 heavy duty class wheel loader, was designed by humans to strip away dirt and rock beneath topsoil to gain access to unobtanium. Lacks defensive systems. Dangerously loud (154 decibels at maximum rpm). Human operators must rely on armed security units such as platoons of security officers (some wearing AMP suits) when working in hostile climes such as Pandora. Essentially the same unit as used on Earth. Manufactured on Pandora, with advanced electronics shipped from Earth. Although there are a few wheel loaders adapted to be automatically run via onboard computer like the robot dozers, the complexity of deep digging usually requires a human operator.

WorkEdit

The transportation of massive amounts of dirt is much the same as it has been since the beginning of the industrial age when steam shovels were used. And it is much the same on Pandora as on Earth. The power source may be more efficient than in the past, but the units still use treads or huge tires to get a grasp on the land, and then jam a scoop shovel into the soil to plow through or remove it.

DescriptionEdit

The wheel loaders are simply exponentially larger, more powerful steam shovels. But the speed and volume of the soil moved is greater than the last generation of wheel loaders. The work is carried out by two operators wearing sensor helmets that give a head-up display of the the unit's function and effectiveness, including such items as dirt density, power plant temperature, and status of the hydraulic joints. The wheel loaders are dispatched (and usually operated), in a line to maximize the width of the trench. The operators have been trained in simultaneous maneuvers but also can break away from each other to tackle more unique digging requirements.